JUST IN: Tinubu Appoints Hafsat Bakari as NFIU Director/CEO

In a move towards fortifying efforts against financial crimes, President Bola Tinubu has given his nod to the appointment of Ms. Hafsat Abubakar Bakari as the Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). Pending confirmation by the Senate, this appointment aims to enhance the nation’s capabilities in combating illicit financial flows.

The announcement, conveyed through a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, highlights Ms. Bakari’s extensive background as a lawyer and financial intelligence expert. Her expertise spans anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and counter-proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF).

Ms. Bakari’s journey to this pivotal role includes serving as the Deputy Director at the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit. She has held key positions, such as Head of the General Services Unit, Head of the Strategy and Reorientation Unit, and Head of the Board Secretariat at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The statement underlines President Tinubu’s anticipation of Ms. Bakari leveraging her wealth of experience to significantly contribute to the administration’s ongoing battle against sharp practices and illicit financial flows within the nation’s foreign exchange markets.